More than 700 people from the Vila do Distrito de Catuçaba were displaced by the floods in Ribeirão do Chapéu and Ribeirão do Pinga
By Writing
The city hall of São Luiz do Paraitinga, in the interior of São Paulo, decided this Monday, the 13th, to postpone the Carnival festivities because of the heavy rains that hit the municipality. According to the city hall, the storms have displaced the local population and caused the destruction of bridges, rivers overflowing, blocking roads and causing risks of landslides.
More than 700 people from Vila do Distrito de Catuçaba were displaced by the floods in Ribeirão do Chapéu and Ribeirão do Pinga. The Paraitinga River, which cuts through the city, is four meters above its normal level and its overflow has also forced families to leave their homes. According to the weather forecast, the rains will continue for the next few days.
“Civil Defense services, both from the State and from the municipality, declare that the weather forecasts indicate the continuation of heavy rains, which demands an alert situation on the part of the Public Administration”, the city hall said in the statement. The municipal executive also stated “that it must have its entire structure of personnel and equipment” to deal with calamity situations that may occur.
The decision was taken jointly by the presidents of the Commercial and Industrial Association of São Luiz do Paraitinga; the Association of Blocks; of the Municipal Tourism Council and with the President of the Chamber of Councillors.
A new date for the carnival has not yet been defined, but the organizers say that the parties will be held. This year, São Luiz do Paraitinga would again organize “Carnaval das Marchinhas”, after two years without happening due to the covid-19 pandemic. The forecast was that 28 blocks would parade through the streets of the city, which has a tradition of promoting marchinhas festivals since 1984.
“It should be noted that the decision to postpone was taken due to the seriousness of the circumstances and that the carnival will still be held, however, on a more favorable occasion, so that everyone can enjoy the celebration in its fullness”, said the note.
Since the beginning of Operation Summer Rains, on December 1, 2022, the state Civil Defense has counted 26 deaths caused by floods, four missing and 249 occurrences throughout the State of São Paulo.
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